The 1994 Dodge Dakota has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 303,543 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 240 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE EXTRA KEYS ON A VEHICLE OPERATOR'S KEY RING CAN BECOME TEMPORARILY LODGED IN THE SCREW ACCESS HOLES IN THE BACK COVER OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
THIS CONDITION CAN HAMPER THE STEERING WHEEL RETURN ORCAUSE THE IGNITION TO BE TURNED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK COVER WITH A REDESIGNED COVER.
SOME UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS CAN FAIL DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. THE BOLTS ARE TOO SOFT TO WITHSTAND THE STRESSES IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND CAN BREAK.
IF THE ATTACHING BOLTS OF THE UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
REPLACE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.
TWO FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, WHICH COULD CAUSE ONE OR BOTH OF THE STRAP(S) TO SEPARATE, MISLOCATING THE FUEL TANKS OR ALLOW COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
IN EITHER CASE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP(S) FAILURE RESULTS IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
THE FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAP ATTACHING STUDS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Driving down road, about to turn right, but airbag deployed before I was off the main road. Had to stop immediately. Had slowed down to app. 10 mph to make turn. Road clear. Had made this turn many times before (on way to work). *tr”
“Dodge dakota frame rotting out toyota recalled theirs the truck in great shape and I have seen alot of trucks with the same problem could cause death in crash.*tr”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
“Front left door snapped off. I can't open the drivers door from the inside. Also, both seat belts snapped, the air and heat doesn't work, the brakes locked up, which affected the steering. The transmission was replaced three timed, the vehicle would loose power and the engine would die. The…”
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49…
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Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 Dodge Dakota as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.